The Clippers have officially named Gary Sacks the team's vice president of basketball operations, according to a team release. While Sacks, the Clips' former director of player personnel, won't formally hold the title of general manager, he'll essentially assume the GM role for the club. As Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com tweets, Los Angeles will move forward with a three-man brain trust of Sacks, president Andy Roeser, and coach Vinny Del Negro.
"Gary has been a valuable and loyal member of our organization for the past 18 years," said Roeser in the team's statement. "His recent role this very productive summer, as well as his many contributions during the course of his tenure made it clear that he is the right person to lead our basketball operations department."
Sacks' promotion had been expected for the last few weeks, after he helped lead the way on the Clippers' offseason moves. Blake Griffin, who signed a long-term extension to remain with the Clips earlier this summer, expressed his support for Sacks last week:
"He did an unbelievable job, Gary Sacks did, along with Coach Del Negro. I think they both kind of teamed up and I think we have a lot of respect for Gary. As far as the players go, we have a lot of respect for him and everything he’s been able to do. I know a lot of us are pulling for him to get that GM job and definitely hope he gets it."